Head structures, especially internal features of the larva of Mycetina crucicita are described and discussed with respect to their functional and phylogenetic relevance. Spore masses are collected in the preoral chamber, mechanically treated by the mandibular molae, diluted with secretions, and sucked back by the unusually strong prepharyngcal and pharyngeal pumping apparatus. The presence of tube-like glands is a possible synapomorphy of all cucujiform superfamilies. Posterior tentorial arms which are shifted anteriorly and separated from the tentorial bridge, thin and flattened dorsal tentorial arms, and reduced anterior arms are apomorphic features shared by larvae of Mycetina, Coccinella, Glischrochilus, and cleroid larvae. The origin of a strong bundle of M. tentoriostipitalis from the dorsal hypopharyngeal wall is another unusual derived character state shared by larvae of these taxa. Whether these structural affinities are due to a closer relationship between Endomychidac, Coccinellidae, Nitidulidae, and Cleroidea, or due to parallelism is a matter of further investigation. Presumably derived external features of the head are shared by several genera of Endomychidae. They suggest a closer relationship between Mycetina, Aphorista, Amphix, Epipocinae (excluding Periptyctus), and Bystus (Anamorphinae). Larval characters are in conflict with the monophyly of Lycoperdininae and Epipocinae.
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